DCG Is Being A Pest To My DD, But Not Being Naughty...

[MaritimeMummy]

At my house we all have our 'bubble' which simply means our personal space. Your bubble is the space where, when you put your arm out straight in front of you, your hand reaches. If a child extends their arm and is able to touch the child crowding them, that child is in the other child's bubble. The first child can tell the crowding child that they are in their bubble. The offending child is then asked/expected to step back enough to not be touching the first child's extended hand. I find it really helps both sides to have/see a visual (the extended arm) to judge how close is too close.

I explained the bubble to them. They're now running around clapping their hands going "Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!" They think they are popping imaginary bubbles. :-S

DD is clearly expressing herself using her words. She says everything from, "DCG, leave me alone, please" to "GO AWAY I WANT TO PLAY ALONE!" DCG understands and speaks just as well as DD. She just chooses not to listen to her. I have been saying to her, "What did DD just say?" and have DCG repeat it. Then I say, "what does that mean you should do?" And at that point she gets it and moves away...for a minute. In one ear, out the other.

I like the mat idea if what I try with the bubbles doesn't work.